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John H. Oxian, President December 10, 2004 Mr. and Mrs. Roeder 68286 Miami Road South Bend, IN 46614 South Bend and St. Joseph County - HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION 227 WEST JEFFERSON BLVD. SOUTH BEND, IN 46601-1830 Phone: 574-235-9798 Fax: 574-235-9578 e-mail: historic@michiana.org Dear Mr. and Mrs. Roeder, A Certified Local Government Catherine D. Hostetler, Director On Wednesday, December 8, 2004, the Executive Committee of the Historic Preservation Commission met to discuss the plans for your landmarked home at 68286 Miami. We had an in-depth discussion concerning the current state of your home's exterior and of your plans to contract a 900 square foot addition to the rear and side of your home to create a larger dining area and a more spa- cious first floor full bath. This proposed addition to your home was denied at the Historic Preservation Commissions August meeting. Commissioner Jerry Udjak has since had several conversations with you and your architect, Tom Rupard during which revised plans were to be given to Jerry for our December 8 meeting. Since he did not receive the new plans the Executive Committee had no alternative but to up- hold the denial of your COA #2004-0804-1. The reasons for the denial are that the proposed addition would obscure too much of the original landmark's characteristic gabled ell form and shape. Basically, the addition would overwhelm your farm house. The commission shares your concerns about the paint failure. However, vinyl siding would only make matter worse by trapping moisture and rotting your walls The deteriorating siding should be replaced where needed with clear #1 cedar siding that matches your original siding. The water problems causing the paint failure and siding deterioration could be traced to improper roofing but are more than likely being caused by the gutters and downspouts being overloaded with leaves and not draining properly. Also contributing to the water problems are the cracks and gaps in the mortar of your fieldstone foundation. These should be filled and repaired as soon as possi- ble. Unfortunately, your lovely porch is showing signs of deterioration as well. We would encourage you to speak with Tom Rupard about a plan to stabilize the structure of your home before even considering putting on an expensive addition. We would be willing to work with you and Tom to develop sensible and economic solutions to these problems and could recommend products and techniques. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you in the future to preserve your home. Sincerely, Catherine D. Hostetler, Director Julie Schutte, Assistant Director Cc: Tom Rupard South Bend Building Department COMMISSIONERS Mary Jane Chase (Secretary) Gerald Ujdak (Treasurer) Martha Choitz Lynn A. Patrick (Vice President) Diane Wrobel-Illes Catherine Hostetler Joann Sporleder (Architectural Historian) John Livingston (Attorney)